Maria Dimatos

Maria Dimatos, 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Binghamton NY, on Wednesday, December 20th, 2023. Maria is survived by her loving husband Gerasimos Dimatos, wonderful sons Spyros and Demetrios, granddaughter Gerasimina and daughter-in-law Georgia. Maria was preceded by her Grandparents Gerasimos Kakos and Maria Kakos; her loving parents Demetrios Kakos and Vasiliki Tolis; brother Gerasimos (Maki) Kakos and sister-in-law Gerasimoula Kakos.

Maria was born on January 12th, 1944, to Demetrios Kakos and Vasiliki Tolis in Messolonghi, Greece. Maria enjoyed sharing memories of the beautiful countryside, farmlands, ocean blue waters, watery charms of the lagoons and breathtaking sunsets, she loved Messolonghi.

In 1967, she met Gerasimos Dimatos in Athens, and they were engaged and married in the same year. They gave birth to their adorable and happy son Spyros Dimatos in March of 1968. Her dream of a family was only beginning, that same year, the family immigrated to the United States. This allowed Maria to accomplish what she wanted in life - to love, be loved, and to provide for her family. With little knowledge of the language and culture, doubts aside, they spent several years in New York City where Maria began to learn English, while her husband was working as a cook in a restaurant. In 1971, they had a second son, Demetrios Dimatos, a healthy younger brother to Spyros.

In 1973, only 5 years later after emigrating from Greece, the family partnered in purchasing the Spot Restaurant in Binghamton, New York. While her husband worked at the restaurant, Maria was hard at work raising her two boys, teaching them her native language, participating at church, making friends and most of all, making a home. Her children’s education was extremely important to her, she wanted only the best for her family and would spend hours helping her boys’ study. She loved cooking so much that she would always make enough to share with neighbors, later she would teach her neighbors how to make the dish so they could always enjoy her cooking. Maria had a passion for gardening, you would often find her reading gardening books, planning her next garden, and before you knew it, a garden of vegetables and flowers were flourishing. There were countless times when folks would pass by her home, stop and take pictures of her gardens, where she would then share her vegetables and flowers. Favorites that brought her joy were red roses, blue hydrangeas and daisies.

She was a giving person, every year she would gather items to donate, always wanting to help others in need. There was a time when the family had gone back to Greece for the summer, a friend of hers had complimented her shoes, later that night after dinner, she gifted her friend the shoes, she enjoyed bringing happiness to others. Spyros would often travel, Maria would look forward to accompanying her son, exploring the world and meeting new people, everyone adored her.

She loved her granddaughter Gerasimina, her smile would fill the room when she would see her. Every month her son Demetri and daughter in in-law Georgia, would send a photo album, she looked forward to this and at the turn of each page, she repeated her granddaughters favorite words, “Oh Oh”, she truly loved her family.

She was passionate about life; her generosity and kindness extended to everyone, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be dearly missed. Even with all the challenges the past few months, she left with a smile on her face and tears of joy.

Visitation will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2023, with the Funeral Service to follow at 10:00 a.m., at Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 4121 O’Hara Drive, Vestal, NY 13850 with the Rev. Fr. Michael Bahlatzis officiating. Interment will follow in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott.

Flowers can be sent to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation at 4121 Ohara Drive, Vestal, NY 13850 for the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Maria Dimatos to the American Kidney Fund Tribute Wall (https://www.kidneyfund.org/tribute-wall) or to Brigham and Women’s Hospital Division of Renal (https://giving.brighamandwomens.org) who work tirelessly with the upmost compassion to improve the lives of those who live with chronic diseases of the kidney; Maria and family are forever grateful to them.